Jobs:Job-01572
Apply before: 30 June 2024
|
Posting:
Position: Postdoctoral Research Fellow
Apply before: 30 June 2024
Apply online:
|
The project seeks to reveal new fundamental insights into fluvial sediment transport behaviours following extreme sediment-rich flows. The initial focus is on reconstructing and modelling landscape adjustments following the 7th February 2021 “Chamoli disaster” in northern India, which caused extensive loss of life and damage to infrastructure along the flood path and produced large-scale geomorphological reworking along valley floors. This work springboards from recent efforts (e.g. Shugar et al., 2021 (https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/science.abh4455); Westoby et al., 2023 (https://pubs.geoscienceworld.org/gsa/geology/article/51/10/924/627323/Rapid-fluvial-remobilization-of-sediments)) to understand the short-term geomorphological legacy of the disaster. As the project title suggests, there is a specific focus on establishing the presence, character, and potential impacts of so-called sediment 'superslugs' associated with the event.
Core project tasks that you will lead or support include: 1) the photogrammetric processing of barform survey imagery collected from drone platforms, enabling detailed sedimentological analysis via photosieving, followed by upscaling using satellite imagery to inform catchment-based observations, and; 2) the development of an open-source toolkit for detecting and tracking fine-grained sediment superslugs, leveraging cloud-based processing of free satellite imagery. A strong quantitative grounding and experience of working with remote sensing imagery and associated geospatial methods to develop insights into the spatiotemporal evolution of landforms and/or landscapes would be an advantage, as would familiarity with one or more common programming languages. You will lead and contribute to the production of peer-reviewed manuscripts and will have opportunities to disseminate your findings and expand your network by attending national and international conferences and workshops. There will be opportunities to participate in overseas fieldwork in the Indian Himalaya.
The post is based in the School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences at the University of Plymouth, UK. The School hosts an interdisciplinary team of academics undertaking teaching and research focused on challenges including climate change, natural hazards, social justice, pollution, energy transitions and the sensitive development of natural resources. Staff and students work and study in the stunning landscape of south west England, which includes national parks, Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty, characterful towns and cities, and a 650 mile-long coastline. The research fellow will work closely with Dr. Matt Westoby (Plymouth) and Dr. Stuart Dunning (Newcastle), and will be embedded within a wider project team that includes collaborators from Newcastle University, the Universities of Exeter, Hull, and Leeds, Staffordshire University, the Wadia Institute for Himalayan Geology, the Indian Institute of Technology Roorkee and the University of Calgary.
For further information and instructions on how to apply, please visit this link: https://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/DHV447/research-fellow. The closing date is 30th June, and we expect to hold interviews by mid-July at the latest. The successful applicant would be able to commence work on the project shortly thereafter, but discussions can be had regarding availability and other individual circumstances - flexible working options will be considered. The position is open to international applicants and we particularly encourage applicants from under-represented groups.
For an informal discussion about the role, please reach out to Dr. Matt Westoby in the first instance (matt.westoby@plymouth.ac.uk)
Best wishes,
Matt Westoby
(and the SUPERSLUG team)
Dr. Matthew Westoby
Associate Professor of Physical Geography
School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences
University of Plymouth
